After a tragic Georgia accident which claimed five lives, government safety experts are warning homeowners not to use vented gas-fired heaters indoors unless they are properly connected to a vent carrying dangerous exhaust gases outside the house.
Shortly before Christmas, a family of five died when a vented gas space heater was installed without a vent and spewed carbon monoxide fumes into a Hart County, Georgia home.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that there were 115 deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning from gas-fired space heaters in 1985, the last year for which complete statistics are available. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible odorless gas which is a by-product of combustion. People exposed to harmful levels of CO often exhibit symptoms similar to "having the flu," including dizziness, fatigue, headaches, irregular breathing and nausea.
CPSC said consumers should always refer to their owner's manual for the proper installation, operation and periodic maintenance of gas-fired heaters, whether they are vented or unvented. If there is no manual available, contact the manufacturer or seek expert advice from your local gas company before installing.
Vented heaters are designed so that they always require installation of a vent pipe to carry exhaust fumes outside the home; vents should be installed according to manufacturer's instructions and inspected frequently to verify that exhaust fumes are being carried outside the house.
Vented heaters manufactured since June, 1984 are equipped with a safety device known as a "spill switch" which automatically shuts down the heater if the flue pipe is blocked disconnected. However, gas heaters manufactured before June, 1984 do not have the spill switch. Therefore, homeowners routinely check vent pipes often to make sure there are no blockages.
In the Georgia incident, reports indicate the homeowner installed the gas heater himself, but did not vent the unit outside the house. Resulting carbon monoxide gases killed the husband, a pregnant wife and three young children.
CPSC emphasized that homeowners lacking an instruction manual for their home heating appliance should contact the manufacturer or the local gas company for advice on installing and maintaining the heater.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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